Small US Chemical companies are faced with a new conundrum, Is it feasible to
implement ISO 14001 in addition to existing commitments to implement Responsible Care? This
paper studies this question by reviewing the available literature sources, conducting industry
trade association interviews, and through limited interviewing of small US chemical companies.
The chemical industry currently faces many challenges including increasing demands by
society and customers for improved environmental performance. Staffs and budgets are very
tight in a small company. Upper management fears the addition of one more program to their
already overworked staff. Significant agreement was found in the literary references, trade
association interviews and literature, and interviewed companies that ISO 14001 has significant
drivers for implementation and that the benefits outweigh the barriers of implementation.
The findings from this research also show that small US chemical companies have
adopted the "wait & see" attitude towards implementation. Small companies are aware of the
looming need to implement ISO 14001. Most are waiting until that need for implementation
becomes more compelling. Companies that want to be proactive but are not currently prepared to
commit to full ISO 14001 implementation should conduct a GAP analysis between ISO 14001
and the already existing Responsible Care programs in place and become "ISO 14001 ready" in
the event of the need for implementation. This will significantly reduce the amount of time and
effort needed for implementation when and if the need arises.